Power on Track: Solar Rails in Switzerland
Swiss startup Sun-Ways is turning railway lines into clean energy corridors using removable solar panels to harness the sun without disrupting train travel.
ChatGPT saThe Knepp Estate in West Sussex, UK, is a pioneering example of rewilding, transforming once intensively farmed land into a thriving natural ecosystem. Since the early 2000s, Knepp’s owners, Sir Charles Burrell and Isabella Tree, have allowed nature to take the lead, replacing conventional agriculture with free-roaming grazing animals such as Tamworth pigs, longhorn cattle, red deer, and Exmoor ponies. These animals mimic the natural behaviors of extinct species, shaping the landscape and promoting biodiversity.
Swiss startup Sun-Ways is pioneering an innovative approach to renewable energy by installing removable solar panels between railway tracks. This initiative aims to transform underutilised rail infrastructure into productive solar energy generators without disrupting train operations.
Recently Sun-Ways launched a pilot project in the canton of Neuchâtel installing 48 solar panels over a 100-meter stretch of track near Buttes station. The installation with an 18 kW capacity is expected to produce approximately 16000 kilowatt-hours annually supplying power to the local grid. The panels are designed for easy removal to facilitate maintenance and are equipped with anti-glare coatings to ensure safety.
The installation process is streamlined by a specialised machine developed by Scheuchzer SA capable of deploying up to 1000 square meters of panels per day. Sun-Ways estimates that utilizing Switzerland’s 5000 km of railway could generate up to 1 TWh of solar energy annually potentially meeting a significant portion of the country’s public transport electricity needs.
This project has garnered international interest with potential expansions in countries like France, Spain and the United States. Sun-Ways’ approach exemplifies innovative solutions in the pursuit of sustainable energy and efficient use of existing infrastructure.
